How to Get Rid of a UTI in 5 Steps - GoodRx (2024)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in the U.S. Close to half of all women and about 10% of men will experience a UTI at least once in their lifetime. UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary system, which can sometimes happen during sex.

UTI symptoms are pretty distinct. Pain or burning while urinating and increased urgency to pee are the most common. But cloudy or foul-smelling urine and blood in your urine can also happen with a UTI.

If you think you have a UTI, chances are you’re pretty uncomfortable. And you’re probably wondering how you can find quick relief. If you have those pesky UTI symptoms, here are five things you can do to feel better fast.

1. See a healthcare provider

UTIs aren’t usually a cause for major concern. But if you don’t treat them, they can lead to more serious problems, like a kidney infection. If you have a UTI, make an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The fastest way to feel better is by taking an antibiotic to get rid of the bacteria causing your infection.

If going to see a healthcare provider in person isn’t an option, there are telehealth services available that allow you to set up a virtual appointment. Check out GoodRx Care for treatment of UTIs as well as many other medical conditions.

During your appointment, your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your symptoms and if you’re prone to UTIs. You might be asked to provide a urine sample. Your healthcare provider will also prescribe you a course of antibiotics.

2. Get your prescription filled right away

Once you have a prescription for an antibiotic, it’s important you get it filled at a pharmacy as soon as possible. The faster you start taking your medication, the faster your UTI will be treated.

If you usually use next-day prescription delivery or a mail-order pharmacy, this is one instance where you should avoid doing this. You’re better off using a local pharmacy to pick up your antibiotic so you can start it right away.

If going to a pharmacy is difficult or inconvenient, many pharmacies have options that limit the amount of time you spend inside the building. Some options to ask your pharmacy about include:

• Same-day delivery

• Using the pharmacy’s drive-thru pickup window

• Curbside pickup

• Paying ahead of time through the pharmacy’s smartphone app to minimize time spent at the checkout counter

Every pharmacy is different, so make sure to ask the pharmacy if these options are available at your location.

Some common antibiotics used for treating UTIs include:

• Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)

• Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim (Bactrim)

• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)

• Cephalexin (Keflex)

Typically, you only need to take them for 3 to 7 days, and most people start to feel relief within the first few days.

The most important thing to remember is that no matter what antibiotic you’re prescribed, be sure to finish the entire course even if you start to feel better. It’s normal to feel better a few days before your antibiotic gets rid of all the bacteria. Stopping early can cause your UTI to return or become harder to treat.

3. Take an over-the-counter medication for the pain and urgency

There are a few over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help with UTI symptoms until your antibiotic kicks in:

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

• Naproxen (Aleve)

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• Phenazopyridine (AZO)

OTC pain relievers, like nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen, are effective options for back or pelvic pain. Be careful not to take more than the recommended dosage to prevent unwanted side effects.

Phenazopyridine can help lessen the amount of burning and pain during urination. It’s available in a higher dose as a prescription (called Pyridium). In general, it shouldn’t be taken for more than 2 days. This medication can cause your urine to appear orange after you take it and stain your underwear. So you might want to use a panty liner or wear darker-colored undergarments while taking it. And if you wear contact lenses, be sure to wash your hands well after taking a dose. The dye in phenazopyridine can stain your lenses.

Keep in mind that these OTC products only provide temporary relief. They don’t treat UTIs, so you can’t take them in place of antibiotics.

4. Drink lots of water

This is probably the easiest tip. Drinking lots of water can help flush bacteria out of your bladder faster. It can also help with some of the burning and stinging while urinating because it makes your urine more diluted.

You might be wondering if you could just flush the bacteria out with water alone. There isn’t much research available about how effective this is. But if you’re prone to UTIs, drinking water may help prevent you from getting them. So be sure to stay hydrated once your infection is cleared up, too.

5. Avoid alcohol and caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine are two things you should try to avoid until your UTI is gone. That’s because they can irritate the bladder. You may have more pain or discomfort while urinating if you continue to consume these beverages when you have a UTI.

Plus, mixing alcohol with antibiotics can raise your risk of side effects and make it harder to treat your UTI. But if you just can’t skip your morning cup of coffee, that’s OK. Completely avoiding caffeine may not be a realistic option for everyone. Just try to cut down on how much you’re taking in until your UTI is gone. Eliminating some or most of your usual caffeine intake may still be helpful in reducing UTI symptoms.

Which antibiotic gets rid of a UTI the fastest?

The antibiotic that's best for you will depend on a few factors, such as how often you get UTIs, other medical conditions you have, and whether you have medication allergies. No matter which antibiotic your healthcare provider chooses, know that they all work well. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the most common antibiotics for UTI.

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim

Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim is a first-choice medication and can treat a UTI in as little as 3 days. Some healthcare providers might choose to have you take it a few days longer to be sure your infection clears completely. It’s a “sulfa” drug, though. And many people are allergic to it. So this may not be an option for everyone.

Nitrofurantoin

Nitrofurantoin is another first-choice option for UTIs. You usually have to take it for a longer period of time. In most cases, you have to take nitrofurantoin for a week to be sure you’re all better.

Fosfomycin

Fosfomycin (Monurol) can be useful if the bacteria causing your UTI are resistant (immune) to other common antibiotics. This medication is also used as a single-dose treatment for UTIs. This means you only have to take one dose for it to effectively treat your UTI.

Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is an effective treatment for UTI. It works in as little as 3 days and only has to be taken once a day. But it does carry serious risks like tendon ruptures and heart problems. It also tends to cause bacterial resistance more often.

Can home remedies quickly treat a UTI?

The most commonly asked-about home remedy for UTIs is cranberry. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets has been long-touted as a natural remedy for treating UTIs. The thought is that cranberry makes your urine more acidic, which, in turn, kills the bacteria causing your infection.

There’s no good evidence, however, that cranberry products effectively treat UTIs. But because the risk of consuming cranberry juice is low, many healthcare providers may still suggest it. On the flip side, it may be useful in preventing UTIs if you’re prone to them.

Other natural remedies that have been studied for UTI relief include:

• Probiotics

• Vitamin C

• D-mannose

• Uva-ursi (bearberry)

• Canephron N

• Garlic

• Horseradish

• Nasturtium

• Apple cider vinegar

• Rice vinegar

But the evidence doesn’t support using these supplements in place of antibiotics. And current expert guidelines don’t suggest natural remedies for UTI treatment. If you’re curious about using any of the items listed above, speak with your healthcare provider first.